As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro. (Picture Source)
German cuisine is famous for its 'Deutsche Hausmannskost' which means hearty, nourishing and traditionally prepared dishes. In large amounts it is simply cooked, consists of achievable ingredients and flavour bases more on using cured or smoked meat by strong frying or braising instead of intensive seasoning.
Different Influences
Dishes like these have strong traditional regional roots, but German food is more varied than you might think. Germans like to travel troughout the world. This adventurous side has left its mark and has dramatically changed culinary life over the past 50 years. In fact, the Germans are among those with the most international range of food in Europe. The seven million foreigners who live here and who have brought their foods with them have made important contributions to this development. Practically each and every cuisine is represented: Asian and Mediterranean, Turkish and African, Thai, Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese, Greek, Spanish and Moroccan. And Italian, to name but a few. Another major change came with the "organic" movement (which Germans call Öko). Suddenly, people were fascinated with growing their own food. Organic foods can be found almost everywhere, now. And, what's more, this fascination inspired more men to cook and so discover the kitchen! After the short overview below, you might feel a bit hungry or thirsty. So why not go out and find a nice German restaurant? "Prost und Guten Appetit!"
fresh vegetables especially different kinds of brassica Picture Source
Meals
Breakfast
German breakfast habits are much the same as in other countries. A good, traditional breakfast includes bread, toast, and/or rolls, marmalade, honey, eggs, cold meats, such as ham and salami, various cheeses, all washed down with a strong cup or pot of tea or coffee. However, with today's busy lifestyles there is a growing trend towards eating a more simple breakfast. Today, you are more likely to see people eating cereals rather than a hearty meal of bread, cheese and sausage. Nevertheless, on the weekend the family has more time for a traditional breakfast of breads accompanied by a cheese or meat selection.
(Picture Source)
Lunch
Traditionally, Germans eat their main meal during the day, between 12 and 2 p.m. However, today, the midday meal is often eaten away from home, i.e. at work. With the increase in health and weight consciousness, lunches are becoming more light, and sometimes are nothing more than a snack.
(Picture Source)
Dinner
This is the main meal today, usually eaten at home with the family in the evening. Traditionally, the German dinner – called “Abendbrot”, meaning "evening bread", consists of a selection of whole grain bread, deli meats and sausages, cheese and a cold or warm drink. Yet, eating habits changed over time and today, many families eat the warm meal in the evening.
Pork, beef, and poultry dishes are the favourite main courses. But here too, change is in progress. Seafood used to be the domain of the northern coastal areas. But seawater fish like fresh herring, mackerel, salmon and sardines or freshwater fish like trout, salmon, bream and carp are popular across the country today. (Picture Source)
German Beer vs. Mineral Water
You may be surprised to learn that Germany has more than 1,200 breweries. And more than 5,000 German brands. German beer is famous throughout the world. The famous “Purity Law” of 1516 has been recognised by the European Parliament, through which the German recipe is protected as a “traditional German foodstuff”.
Yet, this does not mean that Germans only drink beer. In fact beer consumption is falling. The past 30 years have seen Germans drink more and more mineral water, once more influenced by traditions in other countries.
Moreover, tea has become more popular over the last decade, particularly in Ostfriesland, where it has always been traditional. Today, throughout Germany tea is probably just as popular as coffee. Of course, Germany is also renowned for its red and white wines, such as from the Rivers Rhein, Mosel, Ahr, Nahe, and the regions of Baden, Pfalz, Rheingau and many more (Picture Source)
Germany
As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro. (Picture Source)Difference of German Cuisine
German cuisine is famous for its 'Deutsche Hausmannskost' which means hearty, nourishing and traditionally prepared dishes. Inlarge amounts it is simply cooked, consists of achievable ingredients and flavour bases more on using cured or smoked meat by strong frying or braising instead of intensive seasoning.
Different Influences
Dishes like these have strong traditional regional roots, but German food is more varied than you might think. Germans like to travel troughout the world. This adventurous side has left its mark and has dramatically changed culinary life over the past 50 years. In fact, the Germans are among those with the most international range of food in Europe.The seven million foreigners who live here and who have brought their foods with them have made important contributions to this development. Practically each and every cuisine is represented: Asian and Mediterranean, Turkish and African, Thai, Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese, Greek, Spanish and Moroccan. And Italian, to name but a few.
Another major change came with the "organic" movement (which Germans call Öko). Suddenly, people were fascinated with growing their own food. Organic foods can be found almost everywhere, now. And, what's more, this fascination inspired more men to cook and so discover the kitchen! After the short overview below, you might feel a bit hungry or thirsty. So why not go out and find a nice German restaurant? "Prost und Guten Appetit!"
Some well-known Ingredients of the German Cuisine
Picture Source
Picture Source
Picture Source
Meals
Breakfast
German breakfast habits are much the same as in other countries. A good, traditional breakfast includes bread, toast, and/or rolls, marmalade, honey, eggs, cold meats, such as ham and salami, various cheeses, all washed down with a strong cup or pot of tea or coffee.However, with today's busy lifestyles there is a growing trend towards eating a more simple breakfast. Today, you are more likely to see people eating cereals rather than a hearty meal of bread, cheese and sausage. Nevertheless, on the weekend the family has more time for a traditional breakfast of breads accompanied by a cheese or meat selection.
(Picture Source)
Lunch
Traditionally, Germans eat their main meal during the day, between 12 and 2 p.m. However, today, the midday meal is often eaten away from home, i.e. at work. With the increase in health and weight consciousness, lunches are becoming more light, and sometimes are nothing more than a snack.(Picture Source)
Dinner
This is the main meal today, usually eaten at home with the family in the evening. Traditionally, the German dinner – called “Abendbrot”, meaning "evening bread", consists of a selection of whole grain bread, deli meats and sausages, cheese and a cold or warm drink.Yet, eating habits changed over time and today, many families eat the warm meal in the evening.
Pork, beef, and poultry dishes are the favourite main courses. But here too, change is in progress. Seafood used to be the domain of the northern coastal areas. But seawater fish like fresh herring, mackerel, salmon and sardines or freshwater fish like trout, salmon, bream and carp are popular across the country today. (Picture Source)
German Beer vs. Mineral Water
You may be surprised to learn that Germany has more than 1,200 breweries. And more than 5,000 German brands. German beer is famous throughout the world. The famous “Purity Law” of 1516 has been recognised by the European Parliament, through which the German recipe is protected as a “traditional German foodstuff”.Yet, this does not mean that Germans only drink beer. In fact beer consumption is falling. The past 30 years have seen Germans drink more and more mineral water, once more influenced by traditions in other countries.
Moreover, tea has become more popular over the last decade, particularly in Ostfriesland, where it has always been traditional. Today, throughout Germany tea is probably just as popular as coffee. Of course, Germany is also renowned for its red and white wines, such as from the Rivers Rhein, Mosel, Ahr, Nahe, and the regions of Baden, Pfalz, Rheingau and many more
(Picture Source)